AG Coakley Applauds President Obama’s Comprehensive Climate Action Plan to Reduce Carbon Pollution
BOSTON – Today, Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement in support of President Barack Obama’s new climate agenda that aims to cut carbon pollution and better regulate greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change:
“We commend President Obama’s comprehensive climate action plan, which includes the important regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil-fuel fired power plants. Massachusetts has been a leader in seeking federal regulations to address climate change, which is one of the most pressing environmental challenges we face. These broad mitigation efforts will have a positive impact throughout the Commonwealth and the nation.”
Today's announcement from the Obama administration supports AG Coakley's continued effort to protect the Commonwealth and our environment from climate change, a real and increasing threat to our health, safety, and economy. Power plants that burn fossil fuels are by far the largest man-made contributor of climate change pollution in the U.S., providing 40 percent of the nation’s human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.
For years, Massachusetts has played a leading role in the fight to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, including leading a coalition of states, in coordination with numerous environmental groups, in the landmark case of Massachusetts v. EPA. In April 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Massachusetts and concluded that EPA had authority under existing law to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.
The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has since upheld EPA’s subsequent regulations, in response to Massachusetts v. EPA.